COVID-19 briefing: Lyon County wedding is state’s largest event with virus transmission, update on long-term care settings

The Minnesota Department of Health provided some updates on the COVID-19 pandemic response in the state during a briefing with reporters on Thursday.

Some main points covered included recent community transmission at a rural Minnesota wedding and an update on long-term care settings across the state.

Those who took part in the call included MDH Director of Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Kris Ehresmann, MDH Director of Office of Health Facility Complaints Lindsey Krueger and a family member of a long-term care resident, Kathy Merkel.

Ehresmann discussed the latest information Thursday from MDH, which reported 15 people died from COVID-19. Eleven of those 15 were in long-term care settings.

COVID-19 in Minnesota: 15 new deaths, 38 hospitalizations reported

New cases are continuing to increase, as the testing positivity rate stands at 5.3% as of Thursday.

Ehresmann added that 75 cases have been traced back to a recent wedding in Lyon County. Cases have spread from that event to 14 other counties in Minnesota, with the age range for those who have tested positive being 10 to 84. Many who attended were people who work in education and care settings.

"This is the largest event we’ve seen for transmission for a social event," Ehresmann said.

As for long-term care facilities, Ehresmann said 20 new long-term care settings are reporting cases, with a total of 1,763 facilities with COVID-19 positive cases. A majority of the positive cases are health care workers. For perspective, 73% of these noted facilities, or 1,238 facilities, have not reported any new cases in the last 28 days, Ehresmann said.

Krueger added that 67% of nursing homes have had an outbreak, 31% of assisted living have had an outbreak and 39.4% of skilled nursing settings have reported one or more cases. Progress has been made and facilities are working to follow guidelines (the five-point plan), Krueger said.

Restrictions at these facilities have been in place and have helped limit the spread of the virus but state health officials recognize the increased risk of social isolation. However, as visitation is crucial for wellbeing, window visits, outdoor visits and other options have been made available. Facilities have many factors to consider when making decisions about their individual settings, Krueger said.

MDH sent out a voluntary survey towards the end of July to gather data on the updated guidance for long-term care facilities. Over 300 facilities participated; 137 nursing homes, 187 home care providers and 56 campuses with nursing homes and assisted living. Of those who completed the survey, 68% have implemented essential caregiver guidance and 53% have not implemented it due to a COVID-19 risk but those same facilities also noted they may implement the guidance in the coming months.

Those interested in essential caregiver guidance can find more information here.

Other things to note from the call on Thursday:

• MDH is still tracking whether the Labor Day weekend will reveal a case spike or any outbreaks, as it typically takes about five to seven days to track that data.
• Numbers from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally remain the same, and MDH is now tracking secondary and tertiary transmissions.
• Regarding the recent testing site in Mankato, Ehresmann said overall, it had a lower rate of positivity compared with the state as a whole. She added that certain ethnic and age groups are seeing higher numbers concerning positive cases. Cases have also been associated with Minnesota State University, Mankato.
• Cases involving schools in Minnesota are still being monitored, as there is nothing that is considered a "large issue" at this point.
• Ehresmann said contact tracing is going well. A number of staff have been added to help with the process. An important reminder for people is to answer their phones when MDH calls. One of the recent challenges is people aren’t responding or answering a call, as well as being reluctant to provide information about their activities. Ehresmann says that’s problematic in helping with taking action to limit the spread of the virus.

KSTP’s complete COVID-19 coverage